The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently embroiled in deep factionalism following a contentious judgment from the Abuja Appeal Court. The court ruled in favor of Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the State House of Assembly alongside 26 other lawmakers, a decision that has polarized the party.

According to report from vanguard, Chief Tony Okocha, the caretaker committee chairman of the APC in Rivers State, expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, emphasizing that justice had been served. He praised the "sound and unimpeachable" reasoning of the Court of Appeal judges, asserting that the decision had clarified numerous legal ambiguities plaguing the state.

In contrast, Darlington Nwauju, a spokesman for a faction within the APC, downplayed the significance of the ruling, emphasizing that it did not nullify the fact that the 27 Assembly members had defected from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. He called upon all parties involved in the political dispute to respect the rule of law and constitutional processes, hinting at the possibility of further legal recourse to the highest court.

The judgment has wider implications beyond the APC, resonating with broader political dynamics in Rivers State. Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, representing the G-60 Federal Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, pointed out that while the Appeal Court overturned previous rulings, it did not explicitly address the validity of the lawmakers' defection or the vacancy of their seats, leaving some issues unresolved.

Dr. Chidi Lloyd, former council chairman and majority leader in the state House of Assembly, criticized judicial officers for what he deemed controversial judgments, particularly targeting Justice Wali's previous decisions as damaging to the state. He advocated for consequences for such judgments, emphasizing the need for judicial accountability.

Overall, the Appeal Court's decision has exacerbated tensions within the APC in Rivers State and raised broader questions about judicial independence and the rule of law in the state's political terrain.